Physics

Pre-Medical

C
Physical World, Units and Dimensions
02
h apter
&
Errors in Measurement
ontents
18. Exercise-I (Conceptual Questions) 66
21
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19. Exercise-II (Previous Years Questions) 71

02

20. Exercise-III (Analytical Questions) 73

:2

21. Appendix 74
n

(SI Prefixes, General Guidelines in SI system, Dimensional

io
ss

formulae of Physical quantities, Some Important Conversion

factors, Sets of quantities having same dimensions) Numerical
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Constants (Fundamental & other useful constants)

NEET SYLLABUS
Scope and excitement, Nature of physical laws, Physics, technology and society.
Need for measurement : Units of measurement , Systems of units, SI units, fundamental and derived units
Length, mass and time measurements, Accuracy and precision of measuring instruments, Errors in measurement
Significant figures. Dimensions of physical quantities, dimensional analysis and its applications.
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66 Pre-Medical : Physics ALLEN
EXERCISE-I (Conceptual Questions) Build Up Your Understanding

UNIT 8. Which of the following is not the unit of time ?

1. Which of the following system of units is not based (1) Micro second (2) leap year
on units of mass, length and time alone ?
(3) Lunar month (4) Parallactic second
(1) SI (2) MKS (3) FPS (4) CGS
UD0001 UD0008
2. Which of the following quantity is unitless ? 9. Which of the following is smallest unit
(1) Velocity gradient (2) Pressure gradient (1) Millimetre (2) Angstrom
(3) Displacement gradient (4) Force gradient (3) Fermi (4) Metre
UD0002
UD0009
3. The fundamental unit which has same power in the
10. Which relation is wrong ?
dimensional formula of surface tension and
co-efficient of viscosity is (1) 1 cal = 4.18 joules
(1) Mass (2) Length (3) Time (4) None (2) 1 Å = 10–10 m
UD0003 (3) 1 MeV = 1.6 × 10–13 joules
4. The ratio of one micron to one nanometre is
(4) 1 newton = 10–5 dynes
(1) 103 (2) 10–3 (3) 10–6 (4) 10–1
UD0010
UD0004
5. Temperature can be expressed as a derived quantity 11. 'Parsec' is the unit of –
in terms of which of the following ? (1) time (2) distance
(1) Length and mass (3) frequency (4) angular acceleration
21
(2) Mass and time UD0011
0-

(3) Length. mass and time

12. The ratio of the dimensions of Planck's constant and
02

(4) None of these

that of the moment of inertia is :-
UD0005
:2

6. Density of wood is 0.5 gm/cc in CGS system of units. (1) Velocity (2) Angular momentum
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The corresponding value in MKS units is (3) Time (4) Frequency

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(1) 500 (2) 5 (3) 0.5 (4) 5000 UD0012

ss

UD0006 DIMENSIONS
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7. Match list I with list II and select the correct answer

13. When a wave travels in a medium, the
by using the codes given below the lists
displacement of a particle located at distance x at
List I List II Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\02-EXERCISE..P65

(Item) (Units of length) time t is given by y = a sin (bt – cx) where a, b and c
A. Distance between 1. Micron are constants of the wave. The dimensions of b/c
earth and stars are same as that of :
B. Inter atomic 2. Angstrom
(1) wave velocity (2) wave length
distance in a solid
C. Size of nucleus 3. Light year (3) wave amplitude (4) wave frequency
D. Wavelength of 4. Fermi
UD0013
Infrared Laser 5. Kilometre
Codes 14. The dimensional formula of wave number is
A B C D
(1) [M°L°T–1] (2) [M–1L–1T°]
(1) 5 4 2 1
(2) 3 2 4 1 (3) [M°L–1T°] (4) [M°L°T°]
(3) 5 2 4 3 UD0014
(4) 3 4 1 2
UD0007

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ALLEN Pre-Medical : Physics 67
15. The method of dimensional analysis can be used to 21. Two physical quantities of which one is a vector and
derive which of the following relations ? the other is a scalar having the same dimensional
(1) N0e–lt (2) A sin(wt + kx) formula are :
(1) Work and energy (2) Torque and work
1 1
(3) mv2 + Iw2 (4) None of the above (3) Impulse and momentum (4) Power and pressure
2 2
UD0021
UD0015
16. Which of the following does not have the dimensions 22. The equation of a wave is given by Y = A sin w æç x - k ö÷
of force ? èv ø

(1) Potential gradient where w is the angular velocity and v is the linear
(2) Energy gradient velocity. The dimensions of k is
(3) Weight (1) [LT] (2) [T] (3) [T–1] (4) [T2]
(4) Rate of change of momentum UD0022
UD0016 23. The time dependence of a physical quantity P is
17. Which of the following is incorrect statement given by P = P0 exp(–a t2), where a is a constant
and t is time. The constant a
(1) A dimensionally correct equation may be correct
(1) is dimensionless
(2) A dimensionally correct equation may be incorrect
(2) has dimensions [T–2]
(3) A dimensionally incorrect equation may be correct
(3) has dimensions of P
(4) A dimensionally incorrect equation is incorrect
(4) has dimensions [T2]
UD0017
21
UD0023
18. A dimensionless quantity
0-

24. The dimensional formula of angular velocity is

02

(1) Never has a unit (2) Always has a unit

(1) [M0L0T–1] (2) [MLT–1]
(3) May have a unit (4) Does not exist
:2

(3) [M0L0T1] (4) [ML0T–2]

UD0018
n

UD0024
19. A unitless quantity
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25. A force F is given by F = at + bt2, where t is time.

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(1) Does not exist

The dimensions of a and b are
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(2) Always has a nonzero dimension

(1) [M L T–3] and [M L T–4]
(3) Never has a nonzero dimension
(2) [M L T–4] and [M L T–3]
Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\02-EXERCISE..P65

(4) May have a nonzero dimension

(3) [M L T–1] and [M L T–2]
UD0019
(4) [M L T–2] and [M L T0]
20. Which of the following is incorrect ?
UD0026
(1) All derived quantities may be represented
dimensionally in terms of the base quantities 26. Which of the following pairs does not have similar
dimensions?
(2) A base quantity cannot be represented
dimensionally in terms of other base quantities (1) Tension and surface tension
(3) The dimension of a derived quantity is never (2) Stress and pressure
zero in any base quantity
(3) Planck's constant and angular momentum
(4) The dimension of a base quantity in other base
quantities is always zero. (4) Angle and strain

UD0020 UD0029

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68 Pre-Medical : Physics ALLEN
27. The dimensions of torque are: 33. Zero error of an instrument introduces
(1) [ML3L–3] (2) [ML–1T–1] (1) Systematic errors (2) Random errors

(3) [ML2T–2] (4) [ML–2] (3) Both (4) None of these

UD0030 UD0037
34. What is the fractional error in g calculated from
28. Dimensions of relative density is
T = 2p l g ? Given that fractional errors in T and
(1) kg m–3 (2) [ML–3]
l are ± x and ± y respectively.
(3) dimensionless (4) [M2 L–6]
(1) x + y (2) x – y (3) 2x + y (4) 2x – y
UD0032
UD0038
29. The dimensions of universal gravitational constant
35. A thin copper wire of length l metre increases in
are :-
length by 2% when heated through 10°C. What is
(1) [ML2T–1] (2) [M–2L3T–2] the percentage increase in area when a square
(3) [M–2L2T–1] (4) [M–1L3T–2] copper sheet of length l metre is heated through
10°C ?
UD0033
(1) 4% (2) 8%
30. If dimensions of A and B are different, then which
(3) 16% (4) None of these
of the following operation is valid ?
UD0039

A V
(1) (2) e–A/B 36. The resistance is R = where V = (100 ± 5) volt
B I
21
and I = (10 ± 0.2) ampere. What is the total error
in R ?
0-

(3) A–B (4) A+ B

02

UD0034 (1) 5 % (2) 7 %

:2

æ5ö
ERRORS (3) 5.2 % (4) ç ÷ %
è2ø
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31. A quantity is represented by X = Ma Lb Tc. The UD0040

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percentage error in measurement of M, L and T

ss

37. If error in measuring diameter of a circle is 4 %,

are a%, b % and g % respectively. The percentage
the error in circumference of the circle would be :-
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error in X would be
(1) 2% (2) 8% (3) 4% (4) 1%
(1) (a a + bb + gc) %
UD0041 Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\02-EXERCISE..P65
(2) (aa – bb + gc) %
38. The external and internal radius of a hollow cylinder
(3) (a a – bb– gc) %
are measured to be (4.23 ± 0.01) cm and
(4) None of these (3.89 ± 0.01)cm. The thickness of the wall of the
UD0035 cylinder is :-
32. An experiment measures quantities a, b and c, and (1) (0.34 ± 0.02) cm (2) (0.17 ± 0.02) cm
X is calculated from X = ab2/c3. If the percentage (3) (0.17 ± 0.01) cm (4) (0.34 ± 0.01) cm
error in a, b and c are ± 1%, ± 3% and ± 2% UD0042
respectively, the percentage error in X will be – 39. Percentage error in measuring the radius and mass
(1) ± 13% (2) ± 7% of a solid sphere are 2% & 1% respectively. Then
error in measurement of moment of inertia about
(3) ± 4% (4) ± 1% to its diameter is :-
UD0036 (1) 3 % (2) 6 % (3) 5 % (4) 4 %
UD0043

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ALLEN Pre-Medical : Physics 69
40. The heat generated in a circuit is dependent upon 46. The resistance R of a wire is given by the relation
the resistance, current and time for which the rl
R= . Percentage error in the measurement
current is flown. If the error in measuring the above pr 2
are as 1%, 2% and 1% the maximum error in of r, l and r is 1%, 2 % and 3 % respectively. Then
measuring heat will be the percentage error in the measurement of R is

(1) 2% (2) 3% (1) 6% (2) 9%

(3) 6% (4) 1% (3) 8% (4) 10%

UD0044 UD0050

41. The percentage errors in the measurement of mass 47. Which of the following has the highest number of
and speed are 2% and 3% respectively. How much significant figures ?
will be the maximum error in the estimate of kinetic (1) 0.007 m2 (2) 2.64 × 1024 kg
energy obtained by measuring mass and speed ? (3) 0.0006032 m2 (4) 6.3200 J
(1) 11 % (2) 8 % UD0051
(3) 5 % (4) 1 %
2k 3 l2
UD0045 48. A physical quantity X is given by X = The
m n
42. While measuring acceleration due to gravity by a
simple pendulum a student makes a positive error percentage error in the measurements of k,l, m
of 1% in the length of the pendulum and a negative and n are 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% respectively. The
error of 3% in the value of the time period. His value of X is uncertain by
percentage error in the measurement of the value (1) 8 % (2) 10 % (3) 12 % (4) None
of g will be - UD0052
21
(1) 2 % (2) 4 % MEASUREMENT
0-

(3) 7 % (4) 10 % 49. In a vernier callipers, N divisions of vernier scale

02

UD0046 coincide with (N – 1) divisions of main scale (in which

:2

1 division represents 1mm). The least count of the

43. The pressure on a square plate is measured by
instrument in cm should be
n

measuring the force on the plate and the length of

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the sides of the plate. If the maximum error in the (1) N (2) N – 1
ss

measurement of force and length are respectively

1 1
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4% and 2%, the maximum error in t he (3) (4)

10N N -1
measurement of pressure is –
Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\02-EXERCISE..P65

(1) 1% (2) 2% (3) 6% (4) 8% UD0053

UD0047 50. A vernier callipers has 20 divisions on the vernier

scale which coincide with 19 divisions on the main
44. The error in measuring the side of a cube is ±1%.
scale. The least count of the instrument is 0.1 mm.
The error in the calculation of the volume of the
The main scale divisions are of
cube will be about
(1) 0.5 mm (2) 1 mm (3) 2 mm (4) 1/4 mm
(1) ±0.001 % (2) ± 1 %
UD0054
(3) ±6 % (4) ±3 %
51. One centimetre on the main scale of vernier callipers
UD0048
is divided into ten equal parts. If 10 divisions of
45. When a copper sphere is heated, maximum
vernier scale coincide with 8 small divisions of the
percentage change will be observed in–
main scale, the least count of the callipers is
(1) radius (2) area
(1) 0.01 cm (2) 0.02 cm
(3) volume (4) none of these
(3) 0.05 cm (4) 0.005 cm
UD0049
UD0055
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70 Pre-Medical : Physics ALLEN
52. A student measured the diameter of a wire using a
screw gauge with least count 0.001 cm and listed
the measurements. The correct measurement is –
(1) 5.3 cm (2) 5.32 cm
(3) 5.320 cm (4) 5.3200 cm
UD0056

21
0-
02
:2
n
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ss
Se

Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\02-EXERCISE..P65

EXERCISE-I (Conceptual Questions) ANSWER KEY

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. 1 3 1 1 4 1 2 4 3 4 2 4 1 3 4
Que. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Ans. 1 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 3 3 4 1
Que. 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
Ans. 1 1 1 3 1 2 3 1 3 3 2 3 4 4 3
Que. 46 47 48 49 50 51 52
Ans. 2 4 3 3 3 2 3
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ALLEN Pre-Medical : Physics 71
EXERCISE-II (Previous Year Questions) AIPMT/NEET
AIPMT 2006 estimation of g is :-
1. The velocity v of a particle at time t is given by (1) e1 + 2e2 (2) e1 + e2
b (3) e1 – 2e2 (4) e2 – e1
v = at + , where a, b and c are constants. The UD0064
t+c
AIPMT (Pre) 2011
dimensions of a, b and c are respectively :-
The dimensions of ( m0 Î0 )
-1/2
(1) LT–2, L and T (2) L2, T and LT2 8. are :-
(3) LT2, LT and L (4) L, LT and T2
1 1
UD0057 -
(1) [ L2 T 2 ] (2) [L–1T]
AIPMT 2007
2. Dimensions of electrical resistance is :– -
1 1
(1) [ML2 T–3 A–1] (2) [ML2 T–3 A–2] (3) [LT ] –1
(4) [ L 2 T2 ]
(3) [ML T A ]
3 –3 –2
(4) [ML–1 L3 T3 A2] UD0066
UD0059 AIPMT (Mains) 2011
AIPMT 2008 9. The density of a material in CGS system of units is
3. Which two of the following five physical parameters 4 g/cm3. In a system of units in which unit of length
have the same dimensions ? is 10 cm and unit of mass is 100 g, the value of
(a) energy density (b) refractive index density of material will be :-
(c) dielectric constant (d) Young's modulus (1) 0.04 (2) 0.4 (3) 40 (4) 400
(e) magnetic field UD0067
(1) (a), (d) (2) (a), (e) AIPMT (Pre) 2012
(3) (b), (d) (4) (c), (e) 10. If voltage across a bulb rated 220 Volt 100 Watt
UD0060 drops by 2.5% of its rated value, the percentage
21
4. If the error in the measurement of radius of a sphere of the rated value by which the power would
is 2 % then the error in the determination of volume decrease is :-
0-

of the sphere will be :- (1) 5% (2) 10%

02

(1) 8% (2) 2 % (3) 20% (4) 2.5%

UD0069
:2

(3) 4 % (4) 6%
UD0061 NEET-UG 2013
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AIPMT 2009 11. In an experiment four quantities a, b, c and d are

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5. If the dimensions of a physical quantity are given measured with percentage errors 1%, 2%, 3% and
ss

by MaLbTc, then the physical quantity will be : 4% respectively. Quantity P is calculated as follows
(1) Force if a = 0, b = –1, c = – 2
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(2) Pressure if a = 1, b = – 1, c = – 2 a3 b2
P= , percentage error in P is :-
(3) Velocity if a = 1, b = 0, c = – 1 cd
Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\02-EXERCISE..P65

(4) Acceleration if a = 1, b = 1, c = – 2
(1) 4% (2) 14% (3) 10% (4) 7%
UD0062
UD0071
AIPMT (Pre) 2010
AIPMT 2014
1 12. If force (F), velocity (V) and time (T) are taken as
6. The dimensions of Î0 E 2 , where Î0 is permittivity
2 fundamental units, then the dimensions of mass are:
of free space and E is electric field, is :- (1) [F V T–1] (2) [F V T–2]
(1) [MLT–1] (2) [ML2T–2]
(3) [F V–1 T–1] (4) [F V–1 T]
(3) [ML–1T–2] (4) [ML2T–1]
UD0073
UD0063
AIPMT 2015
AIPMT (Mains) 2010 13. If energy (E), velocity (V) and time (T) are chosen as
7. A student measures the distance traversed in free
fall of a body, initially at rest in a given time. He uses the fundamental quantities, the dimensional formula
this data to estimate g, the acceleration due to of surface tension will be :
gravity. If the maximum percentage errors in (1) [EV–1T–2] (2) [EV–2T–2]
measurement of the distance and the time are e1 (3) [E–2V–1T–3] (4) [EV–2T–1]
and e2 respectively, the percentage error in the UD0074
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72 Pre-Medical : Physics ALLEN
Re-AIPMT 2015 NEET(UG) 2018
14. If dimension of critical velocity nc, of liquid flowing 17. A student measured the diameter of a small steel
through a tube is expressed as (hx ry rz), where h, ball using a screw gauge of least count 0.001 cm.
r and r the coefficient of viscosity of liquid, density The main scale reading is 5 mm and zero of circular
of liquid and radius of the tube respectively, then scale division coincides with 25 divisions above the
the values of x, y and z are given by : reference level. If screw gauge has a zero error of
(1) 1, 1, 1 (2) 1, –1, –1 – 0.004 cm, the correct diameter of the ball is :-
(3) –1, –1, 1 (4) –1, –1, –1 (1) 0.521 cm (2) 0.525 cm
UD0075 (3) 0.053 cm (4) 0.529 cm
NEET-II 2016 UD0082
15. Planck's constant (h), speed of light in vacuum (c)
and Newton's gravitational constant (G) are three NEET(UG) 2019
18. In an experiment, the percentage of error occurred
fundamental constants. Which of the following
in the measurment of physical quantities A, B, C and
combinations of these has the dimension of length?
D are 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% respectively. Then the
hc Gc maximum percentage of error in the measurement
(1) (2)
G h3 / 2
A 2 B1/2
X, where X = , will be :
C1/3 D 3
hG hG
(3) 3/2
(4) 5/2
c c
æ 3 ö
(1) ç ÷ % (2) 16%
UD0078 è 13 ø
NEET(UG) 2017
16. A physical quantity of the dimensions of length that (3) –10% (4) 10%
21
UD0111
e2
0-

can be formed out of c, G and is [c is velocity 19. The unit of thermal conductivity is :
4 pe0
02

of light, G is universal constant of gravitation and (1) J m K–1 (2) J m–1 K–1
e is charge] :- (3) W m K–1 (4) W m–1 K–1
:2

1/ 2 1/2
UD0112
2 é e2 ù 1 é e2 ù
(1) c ê G ú (2) 2 ê ú NEET(UG) 2019 (Odisha)
n

ë 4pe0 û c ë G 4pe0 û 20. The main scale of a vernier calliper has n divisions/cm.
io

n divisions of the vernier scale coincide with (n – 1)

ss

1/2
1 e2 1 é e2 ù
(3) c G 4 (4) ê G ú divisions of main scale. The least count of the vernier
Se

pe0 c2 ë 4pe0 û calliper is,

UD0081 1 1
(1) n + 1 n - 1 cm (2) cm Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\02-EXERCISE..P65
( )( ) n
1 1
(3) cm (4) ( cm
n2 n n + 1)
UD0113

EXERCISE-II (Previous Year Questions) ANSWER KEY

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. 1 2 1 4 2 3 1 3 3 1 2 4 2 2 3
Que. 16 17 18 19 20
Ans. 4 4 2 4 3

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ALLEN Pre-Medical : Physics 73
EXERCISE-III (Analytical Questions) Master Your Understanding
1. In a particular system the units of length mass and 6. Which of the following does not have the same unit
time are chosen to be 10 cm, 10 g and 0.1 s as others ?
respectively. The unit of force in this system will be (1) watt-s (2) kilowatt-hour
equal to (3) eV (4) J-s
(1) 0.1 N (2) 1 N UD0092
(3) 10 N (4) 100 N 7. Suppose refractive index µ is given as µ = A + B/l2,
were A and B are constants and l is wavelength then
UD0083
the dimension of B are same as that of :-
2. The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum in (1) wavelength (2) pressure
an experiment is recorded as 2.63s, 2.56s, 2.42s, (3) area (4) volume
2.71s and 2.80s respectively. The average absolute
UD0093
error is
8. The dimensional formula for Planck's constant h and
(1) 0.1s (2) 0.11s gravitational constant G respectively are :-
(3) 0.01s (4) 1.0s (1) [ML3T–2], [M–1L2T–3] (2) [ML2T–1], [M–1L3T–2]
3 –2 –1 2 2
UD0085 (3) [ML T ], [M L T ] (4) [MLT–3], [M–1L3T–3]
3. The length, breadth and thickness of a strip are UD0095
(10.0±0.1) cm 9. A wire has a mass (0.3 ± 0.003) g, radius
(0.5 ± 0.005) mm and length (6 ± 0.06) cm. The
(1.00±0.01) cm and
maximum percentage error in the measurement
(0.100± 0.001) cm
of its density is–
respectively. The most probable error in its volume
21
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4
will be
0-

UD0100
(1) ± 0.03 cm3 (2) ± 0.111 cm3
10.
02

In a vernier callipers, one main scale division is x

(3) ± 0.012 cm3 (4) None of these cm and n divisions of the vernier scale coincide with
:2

UD0086 (n –1) divisions of the main scale. The least count

(in cm) of the callipers is :-
n

4. The length of a cylinder is measured with a metre

io

rod having least count 0.1 cm. Its diameter is æ n -1ö nx x x

ss

measured with vernier callipers having least count (1) ç ÷ x (2) (3) (4)
è n ø (n - 1) n (n - 1)
Se

0.01 cm. Given the length is 5.0 cm. and radius is

UD0101
2.00 cm. The percentage error in the calculated
11. Choose the incorrect statement out of the following :-
Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\02-EXERCISE..P65

value of volume will be –

(1) Every measurement made by any measuring
(1) 2% (2) 1%
instrument has some error.
(3) 3% (4) 4% (2) Every calculated physical quantity that is based
UD0087 on measured values has some error.
5. If energy (E), velocity (V) and time (T) were chosen (3) A measurement can have more accuracy but
as fundameltal physical quantities for measurement, less precision and vice versa.
then the dimensional formula for mass will be :- (4) The percentage error is different from relative
(1) [E1 V2 T1] (2) [E2 V–2 T0] error.
UD0102
(3) [E1 V–2 T0] (4) [E–1 V2 T1]
UD0089

EXERCISE-III (Analytical Questions) ANSWER KEY

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Ans. 1 2 1 3 3 4 3 2 4 3 4
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74 Pre-Medical : Physics ALLEN

APPENDIX
SI PREFIXES
The magnitudes of physical quantities vary over a wide range. The CGPM recommended standard prefixes for
magnitude too large or too small so as to be expressed more compactly in certain powers of 10.
Table 3 : Prefixes used for different powers of 10

Power of 10 Prefix Symbol Power of 10 Prefix Symbol

18 -1
10 exa E 10 deci d
1015 peta P 10-2 centi c
1012 tera T 10-3 milli m
109 giga G 10-6 micro m
106 mega M 10-9 nano n
103 kilo k 10-12 pico p
102 hecto h 10-15 femto f
101 deca da 10-18 atto a

General Guidelines for using Symbols for SI Units, Some other Units, and SI prefixes
(i) Symbols for units of physical quantities are printed/written in Roman (upright type), and not in italics
For Example : 1 N is correct but 1 N is incorrect.
(ii) (i) Unit is never written with capital initial letter if it is named after a scientist.
For example :
21
SI unit of force is newton (correct) not Newton (incorrect)
0-

(ii) For a unit named after a scientist, the symbol is a capital letter.
But for other units, the symbol is NOT a capital letter.
02

For example : force ® newton (N)

:2

energy ® joule (J)

electric current ® ampere (A)
n

temperature ® kelvin (K)

io

frequency ® hertz (Hz)

ss
Se

For example : length ® metre (m)

mass ® kilogram (kg)
luminous intensity ® candela (cd)
time ® second (s) Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\03-APPENDIX.P65

Note : The single exception is L, for the unit litre.

(iii) Symbols for units do not contain any final full stop at the end of recommended letter and remain unaltered in
the plural, using only singular form of the unit.
For example :
Quantity Correct Incorrect
25 centimetres 25 cm 25 cm.
25 cms

(iv) Use of solidus ( / ) is recommended only for indicating a division of one letter unit symbol by another unit
symbol. Not more than one solidus is used.
For example :
Correct Incorrect
m / s2 m/s/s
N s / m2 N s/ m /m
J / K mol J / K / mol
kg / m s kg / m / s
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ALLEN Pre-Medical : Physics 75
(v) Prefix symbols are printed in roman (upright) type without spacing between the prefix symbol and the unit
symbol. Thus certain approved prefixes written very close to the unit symbol are used to indicate decimal
fractions or multiples of a SI unit, when it is inconveniently small or large.
For example : megawatt 1 MW = 106 W
centrimetre 1 cm = 10–2 m
kilometre 1 km = 103 m
millivolt 1 mV = 10–3 V
kilowatt-hour 1 kW h = 103 W h = 3.6 MJ = 3.6 × 106 J
microampere 1 mA = 10–6 A
angstrom 1 Å = 0.1 nm = = 10–10 m
nanosecond 1 ns = 10–9 s
picofarad` 1 pF = 10 –12 F
microsecond 1 ms = 10–6 s
gigahertz 1 GHz = 10 9 Hz
micron 1 mm = 10–6 m
The unit ‘fermi’, equal to a femtometre or 10–15 m has been used as the convenient length unit in nuclear
studies.

(vi) When a prefix is placed before the symbol of a unit, the combination of prefix and symbol is considered as a
new symbol, for the unit, which can be raised to a positive or negative power without using brackets. These
can be combined with other unit symbols to form compound unit.
For example :

Quantity Correct Incorrect

cm 3
(cm) = (0.01 m) = (10–2 m) 3 = 10–6 m3
3 3
0.01 m or 10-2 m3 or 1 cm3
3
21
mA2 (mA)2= (0.001 A)2= (10-3 A)2 = 10-6 A2 0.001 A2 or mA2
0-
02

(a) A prefix is never used alone. It is always attached to a unit symbol and written or fixed before the unit
symbol.
:2

For example : 103 / m3 = 1000 /m3 or 1000 m–3, but not k/m3 or k m–3 .
n

(vii) Prefix symbol is written very close to the unit symbol without space between them, while unit symbols are
io

written separately with spacing when units are multiplied together.

ss

For example : Quantity Correct Incorrect

Se

1 ms-1 1 metre per second 1 milli per second

1 ms 1 millisecond 1 metre second.
Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\03-APPENDIX.P65

1 Cm 1 coulomb metre 1 centimetre

1 cm 1 centimetre 1 coulomb metre
(viii) The use of double prefixes is avoided when single prefixe is available.

For example : Quantity Correct Incorrect

10 m –9
1 nm (nanometre) 1 mmm (millimicrometre)
10 m –6
1 mm (micron) 1 mmm (millimillimetre)
10 –12
F 1 pF (picofarad) 1 mmF (micromicrofarad)
9
10 W 1 GW (giga watt) 1 kMW (kilomegawatt)

(ix) The use of a combination of unit and the symbols for units is avoided when the physical quantity is expressed
by combining two or more units.

Quantity Correct Incorrect

joule per mole Kelvin J/mol K or J mol–1 K–1 joule / mole K or J /mol Kelvin or J/mole K
newton m second or N m second
newton metre second Nms
or N metre s or newton metre s
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76 Pre-Medical : Physics ALLEN
DIMENSIONAL FORMULAE OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES
Physical quantity Relationship with other Dimensions Dimensional
physical quantities formula
Area Length × breadth [L2] [M0 L2 T0]
Volume Length × breadth × height [L3] [M0L3T0]
Mass density Mass/volume [M]/[L3] or [M L–3] [ML–3T0]
Frequency 1/time period 1/[T] [M0 L0 T–1]
Velocity, speed Displacement/time [L]/[T] [M0LT–1]
Acceleration Velocity /time [LT–1]/[T] [M0LT–2]
Force Mass × acceleration [M][LT–2] [M LT–2]
Impulse Force × time [M LT–2][T] [M LT–1]
Work, Energy Force × distance [MLT–2][L] [M L2 T–2]
Power Work/time [ML2 T–2]/ [T] [ML2 T–3]
Momentum Mass × velocity [M] [LT–1] [MLT–1]
Pressure, stress Force/area [MLT–2]/[L2] [ML–1T–2]

Strain Change in dimension [L] / [L] or [L3]/[L3] [M0L0 T0]

Original dimension

Surface tension Force/length [MLT –2

/[L] [ML0 T–2]

[ ML-1T -2 ]
Modulus of elasticity Stress/strain [ML–1 T–2]
[M0L0 T0 ]
21

Surface energy Energy/area [ML2T–2]/[L2] [ML0T–2]

0-

Velocity gradient Velocity/distance [LT–1] / [L] [M0L0T–1]

02

Pressure gradient Pressure/distance [ML–1T–2]/[L] [ML–2T–2]

:2

Pressure energy Pressure × volume [ML–1T–2] [L3] [ML2 T–2]

n
io

[ MLT -2 ]
ss

Coefficient of viscosity Force/(area × velocity gradient) [ML–1T–1]

[ L2 ] ëéLT -1 / L ûù
Se

Angle, Angular displacement Arc/radius [L]/[L] [M0L0T0]

Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\03-APPENDIX.P65

Trigonometric ratio Length/length [L]/[L] [M0L0T0]

Angular velocity Angle/time [L0]/[T] [M0L0T–1]
Angular acceleration Angular velocity/time [T–1]/[T] [M0L0T–2]
Radius of gyration Distance [L] [M0LT0]
Moment of inertia Mass × (radius of gyration)2 [M] [L2] [ML2 T0]
Angular momentum Moment of inertia × angular [ML2] [T–1] [ML2 T–1]
velocity
Moment of force (Couple) Force × distance [MLT–2] [L] [ML2 T–2]
Torque Angular momentum/time, [ML2 T–1]/[T] [ML2 T–2]
Or Force × distance or [MLT–2] [L]
Angular frequency 2p × Frequency [T––1] [M0L0T–1]
Wavelength Distance [L] [M0LT0]
Hubble constant Recession speed/distance [LT–1]/[L] [M0L0T–l]
Intensity of wave (Energy/time)/area [ML2 T–2/T]/[L2] [ML0T–3]

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ALLEN Pre-Medical : Physics 77
Physical quantity Relationship with other Dimensions Dimensional
physical quantities formula

Intensity of wave
Radiation pressure Speed of light [MT–3]/[LT–1] [ML–1T–2]

Energy density Energy/volume [ML2 T–2]/ [L3] [ML–1 T–2]

Reynold's number
Critical velocity × coefficient of viscocity [M0L0 T0 ][ML–1 T –1 ] [M0LT–1]
–3
Mass density × radius [ML ][L]

Escape velocity (2 × acceleration due to [LT–2]1/2× [L]1/2 [M0LT–1]

gravity × earth's radius)1/2
Heat energy, internal energy Work (= Force × distance) [MLT–2] [L] [ML2 T–2]
Kinetic energy (1/2) mass × (velocity)2 [M] [LT–1]2 [ML2T–2]
Potential energy Mass × acceleration [M] [LT–2 ] [L] [ML2 T–2]
due to gravity × height
Rotational kinetic energy 1/2 × moment of inertia [M0L0T0] [ML2] × [T–1]2 [ ML2 T–2]
× (angular velocity)2

Efficiency Output work or energy [ ML2T -2 ] [M0L0T0]

Input work or energy [ ML2T -2 ]
Angular impulse Torque × time [ML2T–2] [T] [ML2T–1]
21
Force × (distance)2 [MLT –2 ][L2 ]
0-

Gravitational constant mass × mass [M][M] [M–1L3T–2]

02

Planck constant Energy/frequency [ML T ] /[T ]

2 –2 –1
[ML2T–1]
:2

Heat capacity, entropy Heat energy /temperature [ML2T–2]/[K] [ML2T–2K–1]

n

Heat Energy
io

Specific heat capacity Mass × temperature [ML2T–2]/[M][K] [M0L2T–2K–1]

ss

Latent heat Heat energy/mass [ML2 T–2]/[M] [M0L2T–2]

Se

Thermal expansion coefficient Change in dim ension [L]/[L][K] [M0L0K–1]

or Thermal expansivity Original dimension × temperature
Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\03-APPENDIX.P65

Thermal conductivity Heat Energy × thickness [ML2T-2 ][L] [MLT–3 K–1]

Area × temperature× time 2
[L ][K][T]

Volume ´ (Change in pressure) [L3 ][ML-1T -2 ]

Bulk modulus or (compressibility)–1 Changein volume [L3 ] [ML–1T–2]

Centripetal acceleration (Velocity)2/radius [LT–1]2/[L] [M0LT–2]

(Energy / area ´ time) [ML2 T -2 ]

Stefan constant (Temperature)4 [L2 ][T][K]4 [ML0T–3K–4]
Wien constant Wavelength × temperature [L] [K] [M0LT0K]
Boltzmann constant Energy/temperature [ML2T–2]/[K] [ML2T–2K–1]

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78 Pre-Medical : Physics ALLEN
Physical quantity Relationship with other Dimensions Dimensional
physical quantities formula

Pressure ´ volume [ML-1 T –2 ][L3 ]

Universal gas constant [ML2T–2K–1mol–1]
mole ´ temperature [mol][K]

Charge Current × time [A][T] [M0L0TA]

Current density Current/area [A]/[L2] [M0L–2 T0A]
Voltage, electric potential, Work/charge [ML2T–2]/[AT] [ML2 T–3 A–1]
electromotive force

Potential difference [ML2 T -3 A -1 ]

Resistance Current [A] [ML2T–3A–2]

[AT]
Capacitance Charge/potential difference [M–1L–2T4A2]
[ML T -3 A -1 ]
2

Electrical resistivity Resistance × area [ML2 T–3 A–2][L2]/[L] [ML3T–3 A–2]

length
or (electrical conductivity)–1
Electric field Electrical force/charge [MLT–2]/[AT] [MLT–3A–1]
Electric flux Electric field × area [MLT–3A–1][L2] [ML3T–3A–1]

[ML2T-2 ]
Electric dipole moment Torque/electric field [M0LTA]
[MLT–3A-1 ]
21
Electric field strength Potential difference [ML2 T –3 A –1 ] [MLT–3A–1]
0-

or electric field intensity distance [L]

02

Magnetic field, magnetic flux density, Force [MLT–2]/[A][L] [ML0T–2A–1]

:2

magnetic induction Current × length

Magnetic flux Magnetic field × area [MT–2A–1][L2] [ML2 T–2 A–1]
n
io

Magnetic flux [ML2 T –2 A –1 ]

ss

Inductance [ML2T–2A–2]
Current [A]
Se

Magnetic dipole moment Torque/magnetic field [ML2T–2]/[MT–2 A–1] [M0L2T0A]

or current × area or [A] [L2] Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\03-APPENDIX.P65

Magnetic field strength, Magnetic moment [L2 A] [M0L–1T0A]

magnetic intensity or magnetic Volume [L3 ]
moment density
Permittivity constant Ch arge ´ charge [AT][AT] [M–1L–3T4 A2]
(of free space) 4 p ´ electricforce ´ (distance)2 [MLT -2 ][L]2
-2
Permeability constant 2p ´ force ´ distance [M0L0 T0 ][MLT ] [L] [MLT–2 A–2]
(of free space) current ´ current ´ length [A][A][L]

Speed of light in vacuum

Refractive index [LT–1]/[LT–1] [M0L0T0]
Speed of light in medium

Faraday constant Avogadro constant × [AT]/[mol] [M0L0TA mol–1)

elementary charge

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ALLEN Pre-Medical : Physics 79
Physical quantity Relationship with other Dimensions Dimensional
physical quantities formula

Wave number 2p/ wavelength [M0L0T0]/[L] [M0L–1T0]

Radiant flux, Radiant power Energy emitted/time [ML2T–2]/[T] [ML2T–3]
Radiant power or
Luminosity of radiant flux [ML2T–3]/[M0L0T0] [ML2T–3]
radiant flux of source
or radiant intensity Solid angle

Luminous power or Luminous energy emitted [ML2 T–2]/[T] [ML2 T–3]

luminous flux of source time

Luminous intensity or Luminous flux [ML2 T-3 ] [ML2T–3]

illuminating power of source Soild angle [M0 L0 T0 ]

Intensity of illumination Liminous intensity [ML2T–3]/[L2] [ML0 T–3]

or luminance (distance)2

Luminous flux of a source of given

wavelength and intensity [ ML2T -3 ]
Relative luminosity
luminous flux of peak sensitivity [ ML2T -3 ] [M0L0T0]
wavelength (555 nm) source of
same power

Total luminous flux

Luminous efficiency Total radiant flux [ML2T–3]/[ML2T–3] [M0L0T0]
21
Luminous flux incident
Illuminance or illumination [ML2T–3]/[L2] [ML0T–3]
0-

area
02

Mass defect (sum of masses of nucleons)- [M] [ML0T0]

:2

(mass of the nucleus)

Binding energy of Mass defect × (speed of light [M] [LT–1]2 [ML2T–2]
n

nucleus in vacuum)2
io

Decay constant 0.693/half life [T–1] [M0L0T–1]

ss
Se

1 1
Resonant frequency (Inductance×capacitance)–1/2
–

[ML2 T -2 A-2 ] [M–1L–2 T4 A2 ]

2
–
2 [M0L0A0T–1]

Quality factor or Resonant frequency ´ inducatance [T-1 ][ML2 T -2 A -2 ] [M0L0T0]

Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\03-APPENDIX.P65

Q- factor of coil Re sistance [ML2 T-3 A -2 ]

Power of lens (Focal length)–1 [L–1] [M0L–1T0]

Image distance
Magnification Object distance [L]/[L] [M0L0T0]

( p/8) (pressure)× (radius) 4 [ML-1 T -2 ][L4 ]

Fluid flow rate (viscosity coefficient) × length [M0L3T–1]
[ML-1 T -1 ][L]

Capacitive reactance (Angular frequency × [T–1]–1 [M–1L–2 T4A2]–1 [ML2T–3A–2]

capacitance) –1

Inductive reactance (Angular frequency × [T–1] [ML2 T–2A–2] [ML2T–3A–2]

inductance)

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80 Pre-Medical : Physics ALLEN
SOME IMPORTANT CONVERSION FACTORS
LENGTH

• 1 m = 100 cm = 1000 mm = 3.28 ft. = 39.37 in = 1.0936 yd (yard)

• 1 km = 0.6215 mi (mile)
• 1 mi = 1609 m
• 1 n mi (nautical mile ) = 1852 m
• 1 in = 2.54 cm
• 1 ft = 12 in = 30.48 cm.
• 1 bohr radius = 0.529 Å
• 1 AU (Astronomical unit) = 1.49 × 1011 m (Average distance between sun and earth)
• 1 ly (light year) = 9.461 × 1015 m (Distance travelled by light in vacuum in one year)
• 1 parsec or parallactic second = 3.08 × 1016m = 3.26 ly (Distance at which an arc of length 1AU subtends
an angle of one second at a point)

MASS
• 1 kg = 1000 g = 2.2 lb (pound)
• 1 quintal = 100 kg
• 1 ton = 907.2 kg
• 1 metric tonne = 1000 kg = 106 g
• 1 lb = 454 g
• 1 slug = 14.59 kg
• 1 ounce = 28.35 g
• 1 amu = 1.6606 × 10–27 kg = 931.5 MeV/c2`
• 1 Chandra Shekhar Limit = 1.4 Msun

TIME
21
• 1 h = 60 min = 3600 s
0-

• 1 d = 24 h = 1440 min = 86.4 × 103 s

02

• 1 y = 365.24 d = 31.56 × 106 s

• 1 shake = 10–8 s
:2

AREA
n
io

• 1 m2 = 104 cm2
ss

• 1 km2 = 0.386 mi2 = 247 acres

• 1 acre = 43,560 ft2 = 4047m2 = 0.4047 hectare
Se

• 1 hectare = 104 m2 = 2.47 acres

• 1 barn = 10–28 m2 (for measuring cross-sectional areas in sub-atomic particle collisions)
Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\03-APPENDIX.P65
VOLUME

• 1 m3 = 106 cm3 = 106 cc = 103 L = 35.31 ft3

• 1 gal (gallon) = 3.786 L (in U.S.A.) or 4.54 L (in U.K.)

DENSITY

• 1 kg/m3 = 10–3 g/ cm3 = 10–3 kg/L

SPEED

• 1 km h–1 = 5/18 m/s or 0.2778 m/s = 0.6215 mi/h

• 1 mi h–1 = 0.4470 m/s = 1.609 km/h = 1.467 ft/s
• 1 m s–1 = 18/5 km/h or 3.6 km/h = 2.24 mi/h

ACCELERATION

• g = 9.8 m/s2 (MKS unit) = 980 cm/s2 (CGS unit) = 32 ft/s2 (FPS unit)

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ALLEN Pre-Medical : Physics 81
ANGLE AND ANGULAR SPEED

• p rad = 1800
• 1 rad = 180°/p or 57.300
• 10 = 1.745 × 10 rad = 60' = 1/360 revolution
–2

• 1 rev = 360° = 2p rad

• 1' (min) = 60" (second)
• 1 rev/min = 0.1047 rad/s » 0.1 rad/s
• 1 rad/s = 9.549 rev/min

FORCE
• 1 N = 105 dyne = 7.23 poundal
• 1 kg–wt = 1 kg–f = 9.8 N
• 1 g–wt = 1 g–f = 980 dyne
• 1 lb–wt = 1 lb–f = 32 poundal

PRESSURE
• 1 Pa = 1 N/m2 = 10 dyne/cm2
• 1 bar = 105 Pa = 106 dyne/cm2
• 1 atm = 1.01325 bar = 1.01 × 105 Pa = 1.01 × 106 dyne/cm2 = 760 mm of Hg column
• 1 torr = 1 mm of Hg column = 153.32 Pa
WORK ENERGY

• 1 J = 107 erg = 0.239 cal • 1 cal = 4.186 J

• 1 eV = 1.6 × 10–19 J • 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ = 860 kcal
• 1 amu = 931 MeV = 1.492 × 10–10 J • 1 Btu (British thermal unit) = 1055 J
21

POWER
0-
02

• 1 hp (horse power) = 745.7 W » 746 W • 1 W (watt) = 1 J/s

• 1 kW = 1000 W = 1.34 hp • 1 cal/s = 4.186 W
:2

TEMPERATURE
n
io
ss

• K (kelvin) = [°C + 273°] = [°F + 459.67 ]/1.8 = °R/1.8 • °F = °C × 9/5+ 32

Se

ELECTRIC CHARGE
• 1 C (coulomb) = 3 × 109 stat coulomb = 0.1 ab coulomb
Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\03-APPENDIX.P65

• 1 esu = 1 stat coulomb = 3.33 × 10–10 coulomb

• 1 emu = 1 ab coulomb = 10 coulomb
• 1 A-h = 3600 C (coulomb)
ELECTRIC CURRENT
• 1 A (ampere) = 3 × 109 stat ampere (esu of current ) = 0.1 ab ampere (emu of current )

RADIOACTIVITY
• 1 Bq (bacquerel) = 1 dps (disintegration per second)
• 1 Ci (curie) = 3.7 × 1010 dps = 3.7 × 1010 Bq = 3.7 × 104 Rd
• 1 Rd (rutherford) = 106 dps = 106 Bq
OTHERS
• 1 weber = 108 maxwell (for Magnetic flux)
• 1 T (tesla) = 1 weber/m2 = 104 G (gauss) (for Magnetic flux density)
• 1 orested = 79.554 A/m(for Intensity of Magnetic field )
• 1 poiseuille (N-s/m2 or Pa-s) = 10 poise (Dyne-s/cm2) ( for Viscosity)

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82 Pre-Medical : Physics ALLEN

SETS OF QUANTITIES HAVING SAME DIMENSIONS

S.No. Quantities Dimensions

1. Strain, refractive index, relative density, angle, solid angle, phase, [ M0 L0 T0]
distance gradient, relative permeability, relative permittivity, angle of contact,
Reynolds number, coefficient of friction, mechanical equivalent of heat,
electric susceptibility, etc.
2. Mass [ M1 L0 T0]
3. Momentum and impulse. [ M1 L1 T–1]
4. Thrust, force, weight, tension, energy gradient. [ M1 L1 T–2]
5. Pressure, stress, Young's modulus, bulk modulus, shear modulus, [ M1 L–1 T–2]
modulus of rigidity, energy density.
6. Angular momentum and Planck's constant (h). [ M1 L2 T–1]
7. Acceleration, g and gravitational field intensity. [ M0 L1 T–2]
8. Surface tension, free surface energy (energy per unit area), force gradient, [ M1 L0 T–2]
spring constant.
21
9. Latent heat and gravitational potential. [ M0 L2 T–2]
0-

10. Thermal capacity, Boltzmann constant, entropy. [ ML2 T–2K–1]

02

11. Work, torque, internal energy, potential energy, kinetic energy, moment of
:2

V2
force, (q2/C), (LI2), (qV), (V2C), (I2rt), ( t) , (VIt), (RT) [M1 L2 T–2]
n

r
io
ss

q ® charge, C ® capacitance, L ® inductance, V® potential,

Se

r® resistance, I ® current
T® temperature, t ® time, R® gas constant
Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\03-APPENDIX.P65
12. Frequency, angular frequency, angular velocity, velocity gradient,

æ Rö æ 1 ö æ 1 ö
radioactivity of a sample, çè ÷ø , çè ÷, ç ÷. [M0 L0 T–1]
L RC ø è LC ø

L ® inductance, R® resistance, C ® capacitance

æ l ö1 2 æ m ö1 2 æ L ö
13. ç ÷ , ç ÷ , ç ÷ , ( RC ), ( LC ), time [ M0 L0 T1]
ègø è k ø èRø

l ® length, g ® gravitational acceleration, k ® spring constant

14. (VI), (I2r), (V2/r), Power (r= resistance) [ M L2 T–3]

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NUMERICAL CONSTANTS

I. FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL CONSTANTS

Name Symbol Value Computational Value
Speed of light c 2.99792458 × 108 m/s 3.00 × 108 m/s
Elementary charge e 1.60217653 × 10–19 C 1.60 × 10–19 C
Gravtitational constant G 6.6742 × 10–11 N-m2/kg2 6.67 × 10–11 N-m2/kg2
Universal gas constant R 8.314472 J/mol-K 8.31 J/mol-K
Avogadro's constant NA 6.0221415 × 1023 molecules/mol 6.02 × 1023 molecules/mol
Boltzmann constant k 1.3806505 × 10–23 J/K 1.38 × 10–23 J/K
Stefan-Boltzmann constant s 5.670400 × 10–8 W/m2-K4 5.67 × 10–8 W/m2-K4
Molar volume of ideal gas at STP* Vm 22.413996 litre/mol 22.4 litre/mol
Planck's constant h 6.6260693 × 10–34 J-s 6.62 × 10–34 J-s
Mass of electron me 9.1093826 × 10–31 kg 9.11 × 10–31 kg
Mass of proton mp 1.67262171 × 10–27 kg 1.67 × 10–27 kg
Mass of neutron mn 1.67492728 × 10–27 kg 1.68 × 10–27 kg
Permeability of free space µ0 4p × 10–7 Wb/A-m 1.27 × 10–6 Wb/A-m
Permittivity of free space e0 8.85418781762 × 10–12 C2/N-m2 8.85 × 10–12 C2/N-m2
21
1
8.987551787 × 109 N-m2/C2 9.0 × 109 N-m2/C2
4 pe0
0-
02

* STP means standard temperature and pressure : 0°C and 1.0 atm
:2

II.OTHER USEFUL PHYSICAL CONSTANTS

Name Symbol Value Computational Value
n
io

Mechanical equivalent of heat J 4.186 J/cal 4.2 J/cal

ss

Standard atmospheric pressure 1 atm 1.01325 × 105 Pa 1.013 × 105 Pa

Se

Absolute zero 0K –273.15° C –273° C

Z:\NODE02\B0B0-BA\TARGET\PHY\ENG\MODULE_01\02-PHYSICAL WORLD\03-APPENDIX.P65

Electron volt 1 eV 1.60217653 × 10–19 J 1.60 × 10–19 J

Atomic mass unit 1u 1.66053886 × 10–27 kg 1.66 × 10–27 kg
Electron rest energy mec2 0.510998918 MeV 0.511 MeV
mp
Ratio of proton mass to electron mass me 1836.1526675 1840

e
Electron charge to mass ratio me 1.758820174 × 1011 C/kg 1.76 × 1011 C/kg

Bohr magneton µB 9.27400899 × 10–24 J/T 9.2 × 10–24 J/T

Bohr radius a0 5.291772083 × 10–11 m 5.29 × 10–11 m
Rydberg constant RH 1.097373156 × 107 m–1 1.10 × 107 m–1
Energy equivalent of 1 u mc2 931.49404 MeV 931.5 MeV
Acceleration due to gravity (standard) g 9.80665 m/s2 9.81 m/s2

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84 Pre-Medical : Physics ALLEN
SI Base Quantities and Units
SI Units
Base Quantity
Name Symbol Definition
Length meter m The meter is the length of the path traveled by light in vacuum during
a time interval of 1/(299, 792, 458) of a second (1983)
Mass kilogram kg The kilogram is equal to the mass of the international prototype of the
kilogram (a platinum-iridium alloy cylinder) kept at International Bureau
of Weights and Measures, at Sevres, near Paris, France. (1889)
Time second s The second is the duration of 9, 192, 631, 770 periods of the
radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine
levels of the ground state of the cesium-133 atom (1967)
Electric Current ampere A The ampere is that constant current which, if maintained in two
straight parallel conductors of infinite length, of negligible circular
cross-section, and placed 1 metre apart in vacuum, would produce
between these conductors a force equal to 2 x 10-7 Newton per metre
of length. (1948)
Thermodynamic kelvin K The kelvin, is the fraction 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic
Temperature temperature of the triple point of water. (1967)
Amount of mole mol The mole is the amount of substance of a system, which contains as
Substance many elementary entities as there are atoms in 0.012 kilogram of
carbon-12. (1971)
Luminous candela Cd The candela is the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source
Intensity that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 x 1012 hertz
and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of 1/683 watt per
21
steradian (1979).
0-

Note :- On November 16, 2018 at the General Conference on Weights and Measure (GCWM) the 130 years old
definition of kilogram was changed forever. It will now defined in terms of plank's constant. It will adopted on
02

20 May, 2019 (World Metrology Day - 20 May). The new definition of kg involves accurate weighing machine called
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"Kibble balance".
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IMPORTANT NOTES
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